What Do Biological Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Biological Technicians assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs. They also conduct research or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.

Other tasks include:

• Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
• Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
• Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
• Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
• Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.

We asked Biological Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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53% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 67% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Biological Technicians participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations. They use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.

A typical day for a Biological Technician will also include:

• Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.
• Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
• Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
• Conduct research or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
• Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.

We asked some Biological Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	34% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	33% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	64% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	2% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	1% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Biological Technicians also examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems. They may also conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatcheries, greenhouses and livestock production programs.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Biological Technicians Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed. They might also Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.

In addition, they Feed livestock or laboratory animals.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.

To some Biological Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Biological Technician, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/biological-technicians.htm

http://www.aafs.org/

http://www.asm.org/

http://www.faseb.org/